Multiple story building structure



Aug-o 12, 1958 J ABLER 2,846,731

MULTIPLE STORY BUILDING STRUCTURE Filed May 1, 1957 INVENTOR United States Patent MULTIPLE STURY lBUiLDllNG STRUCTURE Julius Abler, Chicago, Ill.

Application May 1, 1957, Serial No. 656,327

16 (Claims. (Cl. 2tl-1) The principal object of this invention is to provide an improved multiple story building structure wherein counter stresses are built up in the structural frame thereof to assist in carrying loads, wherein less steel and other structural materials are required and greater strength is aiforded than in the case of conventional multiple story building structures, and wherein the structural frame is simple in construction, and is readily and inexpensively erected.

Further objects of this invention reside in the details of construction of the multiple story building structure and in the cooperative relationships between the component parts thereof.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the accompanying specification, claims and drawing in which:

Fig. l is an illustration of the framework of one form of the multiple story building structure of this invention;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but illustrating another form of the invention;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Figs. 1 and 2, but illustrating a further form of this invention;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Figs. 1 to 3, but illustrating still another form of this invention.

One form of the multiple story building structure of this invention is generally designated at in Fig. 1. It includes a plurality of vertically spaced horizontal floor beams, four of which are shown for purposes of illustration at F, F F and F Here a floor beam is provided for each story of the building structure. Vertical supporting columns B, B B and B are connected at their upper ends to each floor beam F, F F and F respectively. These vertical supporting columns are connected to the respective floor beams at points spaced inwardly from the ends thereof, namely, points BF, B F B F and BF, so as to cause the ends of the floor beams to overhang the vertical supporting columns. The vertical supporting columns, B, B and B are connected at their other ends to the floor beams therebelow at the points BF B 1 and WW. In this form of the invention, illustrated in Fig. l, the floor beams F, F F and F are progressively longer from top to bottom of the building structure so as to provide a pyramidal type of multiple story building structure. Here, also, the points of connection BF FF and E 35 are arranged inwardly from the points of connection B 1 8 F and WW, respectively. The vertical suporting columns B for the lower floor beam F are connected to a suitable foundation at ground level G at points 8 G.

The building structure, as illustrated in Fig. 1, also includes a plurality of diagonally downwardly and inwardly extending truss members, A, A A and A which the connected at one end to the overhanging ends of each floor beam at points AF, A F A F and A F These truss members are also connected at their other ends to "ice the floor beams therebelow at points AF A F A F and A G, which latter points of connection are spaced inwardly from the points BF B F B F and B G where the vertical supporting columns for the upper floor beams are connected to the lower floor beams and the ground foundation.

The principle of the building structure 10 of Fig. 1 is shown by the arrows associated with the respective floor beams, vertical supporting columns and truss members.

Load L, which is exerted on floor F between the points BF, is borne by the vertical supporting columns B at points BF, and downward stresses are exerted, as indicated by the arrows, through the vertical supporting columns B to points BF Points BF act as fulcrums for the floor beam F, causing that portion of the floor beam F between the points BF to tend to sag downwardly under the load L, while the overhanging portions of the floor beam F between the points BF and AF tend to rise. The rising force of the overhanging ends of the floor beam F is transmitted through the truss members A, as indicated by the arrows to floor F at points AF counteracting the downward stresses transmitted through the vertical supporting columns B at points BF The downward force of a load L exerted on floor beam F is also countered by the upward force exerted through the truss members A at points Al. The load L plus the total weight of the floor beam F, the vertical supporting columns B, and the truss members A, are exerted at point B F through the vertical supporting columns B to floor F at points B F Floor beam F however, is not called upon to support the entire load L between points BF since a good portion of the load L is countered by the upward pull exerted through the truss members A at points AF Again, the total weight of the structure above floor beam F plus the loads thereon, exert greater stresses downwardly than is exerted on floor beam F. This greater stress is supported by the vertical supporting columns B at points FF and are transmitted through vertical columns B downwardly to the floor beam F at points B F Points B F act as fulcrums for this last mentioned loading. The overhanging portions of the floor beam F between points WP and A F are caused to stress upwardly and this upward stress is transmitted through the truss members A as indicated by the arrows to points A 1 on the floor beam F These stresses and counterstresses are repeated continuously from floor beam to floor beam downwardly through the building structure. Each counter force exerted through the truss members affords greater and greater support progressively downwardly through the building structure, and the total weight of all of the building structure above any floor beam acts to assist in carrying the load exerted on that particular floor beam. These loads and counterstresses are eventually transmitted through the truss members to the ground foundation to provide the building structure with its own support. By reason of the multiple story building structure, as illustrated in Fig. 1, wherein stresses and counterstresses are built up in the structural frame thereof to assist in carrying the loads, less steel and other structural materials are required and greater strength is afforded than in the case of conventional multiple story building structures.

Another form of the multiple story building structure of this invention is generally designated at 11 in Fig. 2. The building structure 11 is generally like the building structure 1% in construction and principle of operation and like reference characters have been utilized for like parts. Here a truss member is provided for each story of the building structure and more than one story is con- 3 tained within each setback of the building. In the top section of the building structure 11, the floor beams F and S are each supported by vertical supporting columns B and are provided with truss members A, the floor beams F and S being of the same length and the vertical supporting columns B being in alignment. The next downwardly arranged section of the building has a plurality of floor beams F and S these floor beams being of the same length but being longer than the floor beams F and S. These floor beams are provided with vertical supporting columns B and truss members A The next lower section of the building is provided with a plurality of floor beams F and 5 which floor beams are of equal length and longer than the floor beams F and S These floor beams F and S are provided with vertical supporting columns B and truss members A While the building structure of Fig. 11 contains a plurality of floor beams in each setback, as distinguished from the building structure 10 of Fig. 1 wherein a setback is provided for each story, the construction and principle of operation is substantially the same as described above and, therefore, a further detailed description of the building structure 11 is not considered necessary.

Another form of multiple story building structure is generally designated at 12 in Fig. 3. Here, the building structure has a plurality of setback sections, the top section including floor beams F and S, the next lower section including floor beams F and S and the next lower sections including floor beams F and S Here, however, the floor beams F and S are supported by single vertical supporting columns B and only single truss members A extend between the floor beams F and F F and F and F and ground. In other words, each setback section of the building structure 12 is supported by single truss members and includes a plurality of stories. Here, also the construction and manner of operation of the building structure 12 of Fig. 3 are like those of the building structure 10 of Fig. l, and a further description is not deemed necessary.

A further form of the building structure of this invention is generally designated at 13 in Fig. 4. It includes a central core 14 which is set into the ground G and extends upwardly above the ground into the building structure and, preferably, for at least the height of the building, although it may terminate short of the top of the building, if this be desired. The floor beams F and F F F F F F and F are connected at their outer ends by vertical supporting columns B, B B B B B B and B and by truss members A, A A A A A A and A", as described above in connection with the building structure 10 of Fig. 1. The vertical supporting columns B are connected at their lower ends to the ground foundation G and the truss members A extend downwardly through the ground and are connected to the center core 14 below ground level. The stresses and the entire weight of the building structure are carried by the center core 14 and are transmitted through the ground truss members A to the center core so as to provide the building structure with unusual strength for its own support, The center core 14 may be utilized for housing the facilities for the building, such as elevators, wiring, plumbing and the like. The floor beams may radiate from the center core 14. While Fig. 4 illustrates a building structure which is similar to that illustrated in Fig. 1 wherein each story is set back, the building structure 13 of Fig. 4 may be so arranged as to have sections of the building structure set back as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3.

While the various forms of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4, for simplicity in illustration, only illustrate the framework in a single plane, this framework is utilized in other planes to form three-dimensional framework for the building structures. The framework may be erected in more than one plane for the same building structure and the floor beams and truss members do not need to be parallel with one another. The truss members act as braces for each other in the building structure and also operate to prevent too much sway, but yet allowing excellent flexibility against shock, wind and so forth. These extremely beneficial results are made possible by the stresses and counterstresses afforded by this construction.

While for purposes of illustration several forms of this invention have been diclosed, other forms thereof may become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to this disclosure and, therefore, this invention is to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a multiple story building structure, a plurality of vertically spaced horizontal floor beams, a vertical supporting column connected to each floor beam at a point spaced inwardly from the end thereof so as to cause the end of the floor beam to overhang the column, each vertical supporting column for each floor beam being connected to the floor beam therebelow, and a diagonally downwardly and inwardly extending truss member connected at one end to the overhanging end of each floor beam and at its other end to the floor beam therebelow at a point spaced inwardly from the point where the vertical supporting column for the upper floor beam is connected to the lower floor beam.

2. In a pyramidal' type multiple story building structure, a plurality of vertically spaced horizontal floor beams which are progressively longer from top to bottom of the building structure, a vertical supporting column connected to each floor beam at a point spaced inwardly from the end thereof so as to cause the end of the floor beam to overhang the column, each vertical supporting column for each floor beam being connected to the floor beam therebelow at a point spaced inwardly from the point where the vertical supporting column for the lower floor beam is connected thereto, and a diagonally downwardly and inwardly extending truss member connected at one end to the overhanging end of each floor beam and at its other end to the floor beam therebelow at a point spaced inwardly from the point where the vertical supporting column for the upper floor beam is connected to the lower floor beam.

3. In a multiple story building structure, a plurality of vertically spaced horizontal fioor beams, a pair of vertical supporting columns connected to each floor beam at points spaced inwardly from the ends thereof so as to cause the ends of the floor beam to overhang the columns, each pair of vertical supporting columns for each fioor beam being connected to the fioor beam therebelow, and a pair of diagonally downwardly and inwardly extending truss members connected at one end to the overhanging ends of each floor beam and at their other ends to the floor beam therebelow at points spaced inwardly from the points where the pair of vertical supporting columns for the upper floor beam is connected to the lower floor beam.

4. In a pyramidal type multiple story building structure, a plurality of vertically spaced horizontal floor beams which are progressively longer from top to bottom of the building structure, a pair of vertical supporting columns connected to each floor beam at points spaced inwardly from the ends thereof so as to cause the ends of the floor beam to overhang the columns, each pair of vertical supporting columns for each floor beam being connected to the boor beam therebelow at points spaced inwardly from the points where the pair of vertical supporting columns for the lower floor beam is connected thereto, and a pair of diagonally downwardly and inwardly extending truss members connected at one end to the overhanging ends of each floor beam and at their other ends to the floor beam therebelow at points spaced inwardly from the points where the pair of vertical supporting columns for the upper floor beam is connected to the lower fioor beam.

5. In a multiple story building structure, a plurality of vertically spaced horizontal floor beams, a vertical supporting column connected to each floor beam at a point spaced inwardly from the end thereof so as to cause the end of the floor beam to overhang the column, each vertical supporting column for each floor beam being connected to the floor beam therebelow at a point Where the vertical supporting column for the lower floor beam is connected thereto, and a diagonally downwardly and inwardly extending truss member connected at one end to overhanging end of each floor beam and at its other end to the floor beam therebelow at a point spaced inwardly from the point where the vertical supporting column for the upper floor beam is connected to the lower floor beam.

6. In a multiple story building structure, a horizontal floor beam for each story, a vertical supporting column connected to each floor beam at a point spaced inwardly from the end thereof so as to cause the end of the floor beam to overhang the column, each vertical supporting column for each fioor beam being connected to the floor beam therebelow, and a diagonally downwardly and inwardly extending truss member connected at one end to the overhanging end of each floor beam and at its other end to the floor beam therebelow at a point spaced inwardly from the point where the vertical supporting column for the upper floor beam is connected to the lower floor beam.

7. In a pyramidal type multiple story building structure, a horizontal floor beam for each story, said floor beams being progressively longer from top to bottom of the building structure, a vertical supporting column connected to each floor beam at a point spaced inwardly from the end thereof so as to cause the end of the floor beam to overhang the column, each vertical supporting column for each floor beam being connected to the floor beam therebelow at a point spaced inwardly from the point where the vertical supporting column for the lower floor beam is connected thereto, and a diagonally downwardly and inwardly extending truss member connected at one end to the overhanging end of each floor beam and at its other end to the floor beam therebelow at a point spaced inwardly from the point where the vertical supporting column for the upper floor beam is connected to the lower floor beam.

8. In a multiple story building structure, an upper horizontal floor beam, a lower horizontal floor beam, and a plurality of intermediate fioor beams, a vertical supporting column connected to the upper floor beam at a point spaced inwardly from the end thereof so as to cause the end of the upper floor beam to overhang the column, said vertical supporting column being connected to the lower floor beam, and a diagonally downwardly and inwardly extending truss member connected at one end to the overhanging end of the upper fioor beam and at its other end to the lower floor beam at a point spaced inwardly from the point Where the vertical supporting column for the upper floor beam is connected to the lower floor beam, said intermediate floor beams being connected to the vertical supporting column.

9. In a pyramidal type multiple story building structure, a plurality of vertically arranged building sections, each having a plurality of vertically spaced horizontal floor beams, the floor beams within each building section being of the same length and the floor beams of each building section being progressively longer from top to bottom of the building structure, a vertical supporting column connected to each floor beam at a point spaced inwardly from the end thereof so as to cause the end of the floor beam to overhang the column, each vertical supporting column for each floor beam being connected to the floor beam therebelow, and a diagonally downwardly and inwardly extending truss member connected at one end to the overhanging end of each floor beam and at its other end to the floor beam therebelow at a point spaced inwardly from the point where the vertical supporting column for the upper floor beam is connected to the lower floor beam.

10. In a pyramidal type multiple story building structure, a plurality of vertically arranged building sections, each having an upper horizontal floor beam, the upper floor beams of each building section being progressively longer from top to bottom of the building structure, a vertical supporting column connected to the upper floor beam of each building section at a point spaced inwardly from the end thereof so as to cause the end of the floor beam to overhang the column, each vertical supporting column for the upper floor beam of each building section being connected to the upper floor beam of the building section therebelow at a point spaced inwardly from the point where the vertical supporting column for that lower building section is connected thereto, a diagonally downwardly and inwardly extending truss member connected at one end to the overhanging end of the upper floor beam of each building section and at its other end to the upper floor beam of the building section therebelow at a point spaced inwardly from the point where the vertical supporting column for the upper building section is connected to the upper floor beam of the lower building section, and a plurality of intermediate floor beams in each building section connected to the vertical supporting columns thereof.

11. In a multiple story building structure, a horizontal floor beam for each story, a pair of vertical supporting columns connected to each floor beam at points spaced inwardly from the ends thereof so as to cause the ends of the floor beam to overhang the columns, each pair of vertical supporting columns for each floor beam being connected to the floor beam therebelow, and a pair of diagonally downwardly and inwardly extending truss members connected at one end to the overhanging ends of each floor beam and at their other ends to the floor beam therebelow at points spaced inwardly from the points where the pair of vertical supporting columns for the upper floor beam is connected to the lower floor beam.

12. In a pyramidal type multiple story building structure, a horizontal floor beam for each story, said floor beams being progressively longer from top to bottom of the building structure, a pair of vertical supporting columns connected to each floor beam at points spaced inwardly from the ends thereof so as to cause the ends of the floor beam to overhang the columns, each pair of vertical supporting columns for each floor beam being connected to the floor beam therebelow at points spaced inwardly from the points where the pair of vertical supporting columns for the lower floor beam is connected thereto, and a pair of diagonally downwardly and inwardly extending truss members connected at one end to the overhanging ends of each floor beam and at their other ends to the floor beam therebelow at points spaced inwardly from the points where the pair of vertical supporting columns for the upper floor beam is connected to the lower floor beam.

13. In a multiple story building structure, a vertically extending central core set into the ground, a plurality of vertically spaced horizontal floor beams connected at one end to the central core, a vertical supporting column connected to each floor beam at a point spaced inwardly from the other end thereof to cause said other end of the floor beam to overhang the column, each vertical supporting column for each lloor beam being connected to the loor beam therebelow, and a diagonally downwardly and inwardly extending truss member connected at one end to the overhanging end of each ilcor beam and at its other end to the floor beam therebelow at a point spaced inwardly from the point where the vertical supporting column for the upper floor beam is connected to the lower floor beam.

14. In a multiple story building structure, a vertically extending central core set into the ground, a plurality of vertically spaced horizontal floor beams connected at one end to the central core, a vertical supporting column connected to each fioor beam at a point spaced inwardly from the other end thereof to cause said other end of the floor beam to overhang the column, each vertical supporting column for each floor beam being connected to the floor beam therebelow, and a diagonally downwardly and inwardly extending truss member connected at one end to the overhanging end of each floor beam and at the other end to the floor beam therebelow at a point spaced inwardly from the point where the vertical supporting column for the upper floor beam is connected to the lower floor beam, the truss member for the lowest floor beam extending into the ground and connected to the central core underground.

15. In a pyramidal type multiple story building structure, a vertically extending central core set into the ground, a plurality of vertically spaced horizontal floor beams which are progressively longer from top to bottom of the building structure and which are connected at one end to the central core, a vertical supporting column connected to each floor beam at a point spaced inwardly from the other end thereof to cause said other end of the floor beam to overhang the column, each vertical supporting column for each floor beam being connected to the floor beam therebelow at a point spaced inwardly from the point where the vertical supporting column for the lower floor beam is connected thereto, and a diagonally downwardly and inwardly extending truss member connected at one end to the overhanging end of each floor beam and at its other end to the floor beam therebelow at a point spaced inwardly from the point where the vertical supporting column for the upper floor beam is connected to the lower floor beam.

16. In a pyramidal type multiple story building structure, a vertically extending central core set into the ground, a plurality of vertically spaced horizontal floor beams which are progressively longer from top to bottom of the building structure and which are connected at one end to the central core, a vertical supporting column connected to each floor beam at a point spaced inwardly from the other end thereof to cause said other end of the floor beam to overhang the column, each vertical supporting column for each floor beam being connected to the floor beam therebelow at a point spaced inwardly from the point where the vertical supporting column for the lower floor beam is connected thereto, and a diagonally downwardly and inwardly extending truss member connected at one end to the overhanging end of each floor beam and at its other end to the floor beam therebelow at a point spaced inwardly from the point where the vertical supporting column for the upper floor beam is connected to the lower floor beam, the truss member for the lowest floor beam extending into the ground and connected to the central core underground.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 457,418 Hodges Aug. 11, 1891 582,543 McPheeters May 11, 1897 804,427 McNamee Nov. 14, 1905 2,386,622 Marshall Oct. 9, 1945 

